Putin meets Hu, but quiet on South Ossetia conflict

Russian PM Vladimir Putin held talks in Beijing with Chinese President Hu Jintao, but there was no word on whether the crisis in South Ossetia was addressed.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin held talks in Beijing on Saturday with Chinese President Hu Jintao, but there was no word on whether the crisis in South Ossetia was addressed.

Putin and Hu talked about the strength of their relations, Friday's Olympic opening ceremony and May's earthquake in China's Sichuan province, during five minutes of discussions in front of journalists.

The two leaders then retired for more formal talks.

Speaking on Friday before the opening ceremony, Putin condemned Georgia for what he called "aggressive actions" in South Ossetia and vowed Russian retaliation.

The Russian premier was due to return home to Moscow later Saturday as scheduled.

Russian and Georgian forces have been involved in several days of fierce fighting in South Ossetia which have reportedly left scores of people dead.

Georgia at first said it had taken control of the Russian-backed breakaway republic in a lightning offensive, but Russia has since launched a counter-attack in the region.